We're changing the rules, Blair tells hate preachers

PM Tony Blair's has unveiled his plans to crack down on extremists by deporting those who threaten Britain's national security and exclude from the country those who promote violent acts of terror.

The new powers, developed in the wake of the London bombings, would make it easier for police to prosecute so-called "preachers of hate".

Mr Blair told a press conference that people could not come to Britain and "abuse our good nature".

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis welcomed the "broad thrust" of the proposals on exclusions and deportations.

"It is vital that the Home Secretary is able to use his powers to deport or exclude non-UK citizens who threaten our national security - we have been calling for him to use these for some time," he said.

"There is no reason why they cannot be applied as soon as possible.

"We will study closely the Home Secretary's list of unacceptable behaviours during what is a very short consultation period.

"In order that all 'unacceptable behaviours' are properly considered, it is vital that the Government ensures all relevant organisations are consulted adequately," he said.

'The rules of the game are changing'

The PM said the Government was launching a short one-month consultation on new grounds for excluding and deporting people from the United Kingdom.

They would include fostering hatred, advocating violence to further a person's beliefs or justifying or validating such violence.

He said the "rules of the game are changing" in the wake of the London bomb attacks.

The Home Secretary will have greater freedom to exclude and deport foreigners preaching hate and violence.

And ministers were also looking at strengthening powers to deal with home-grown fanatics, Mr Blair announced.

If necessary MPs will be recalled from their lengthy summer break and the UK could renounce parts of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Prime Minister pledged.

Britain's top policeman claimed the new powers will help stop the "fomenting of terrorism" across the UK.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said he believes the public will support the tough new measures.

He told GMTV: "It may have been better if it was done before, but let's do it now.

"Well, I think the public mood is shifting. I'm sorry, but this is England, Britain, and we don't want this fomenting of terrorism to go on."

Sir Ian was asked if he would have wanted an earlier opportunity to rid the country of preachers of hate.

"I would have been very pleased to, but I'm very pleased that the Home Secretary has made a decision and the Prime Minister is going to back it," he said.

Tolerance 'in danger of being stretched'

The Prime Minister acknowledged that while the British public had responded with tolerance to the terror attacks on London, that tolerance was in danger of being stretched.

"I am acutely aware that alongside those feelings that there is also a determination that this very tolerance and determination should not be abused by a small fanatical minority and anger that it has," he said.

Muslim organisations Hizb ut Tahrir and Al-Muhajiroun are to be proscribed, or banned, the Prime Minister said.

Under the Terrorism Act 2000, the Home Secretary can proscribe any organisation which he believes is "concerned in terrorism".

The process means that membership of the groups becomes an offence, as does fund-raising for them.

Mr Blair added that a list would be drawn up of extremist websites, bookshops and centres, involvement with which would prompt the Home Secretary to consider the deportation of any foreign national.

The Prime Minister went on to confirm that there would be new anti-terror legislation in the autumn, including an offence of condoning or glorifying terrorism which would apply anywhere, not just in the UK.

Anyone who has anything to do with terrorism would automatically be refused asylum, he added.

The Prime Minister also said the use of control orders would be extended to British nationals who could not be deported.

The Government would "review the threshold" for people who become British citizens.

There will be a new power to order the closure of a place of worship used for "fomenting terrorism".

Muslim leaders would also be asked to draw up a list of people "not fit to preach" to be excluded.

More terror threats

Yesterday, Egyptian terror chief Ayman al-Zawahiri praised the suicide attacks and called for more in a video.

"Blair has brought you destruction to the heart of London, and he will bring more destruction, God willing," he said.

The PM has repeatedly insisted that Al Qaeda is motivated by aims that simply cannot be negotiated over, rather than his policies.

Sir Ian said he did not believe that al-Zawahiri and his cohorts were directly responsible for the July bombings.

But he added: "We have no idea if he or anyone else knew this was going to happen in London."

The Prime Minister has also come in for fresh criticism for taking a break while police are working at full stretch to protect London from more attacks.

At July's monthly press conference, the PM insisted it was "sensible" for politicians to take breaks and announced he would be jetting off this week.

He also defended Mr Clarke's decision to go on holiday and stressed anyone could be back in Whitehall within hours if needed.

The announcement of his own summer break comes despite a Downing Street ban on discussing his holiday plans.